Cost of Living in Germantown, WI

Population 20,940 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

110
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Germantown is a smaller Wisconsin community of around 21000 residents, where median household incomes of $104,337 and housing costs ($357,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.0% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Germantown sits roughly 14 miles northwest of Milwaukee — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 107% higher than Milwaukee's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 117
Rent 100

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Germantown

The median home value in Germantown is $356,700 — 17% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,310/month, equal to than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $104,337/year is 40% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.7% and the combined sales tax is 5.4%. The climate averages highs of 57.4°F and lows of 41.3°F, with about 48.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, Germantown has a cost of living index of 110 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$356,700
17% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$439,786
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,310/mo
0% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,588/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.7x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$712
1 BR
$781
2 BR
$997
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,448
Owner-occupied 75.9%
Renter-occupied 24.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,310
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,924/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
23.7 min
12% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.3%
Carpooled
3.6%
Public transit
0.0%
Walked
0.6%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
16.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 7.7%
Total Sales Tax 5.4%
State rate 5.0%
Avg local rate 0.4%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$104,337
40% above avg
Per Capita Income
$52,888
Unemployment Rate
2.0%
59% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Labor Force Participation
69.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 32.8%
Graduate degree 15.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.3
Male median age 40.4
Female median age 46.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.4°F
Avg Low
41.3°F
Annual Precip
34.6"
Annual Snowfall
48.7"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 313444556777828074614836
Low °F 172029384858656456453323
Precip" 1.791.692.203.863.544.383.403.653.162.782.241.88
Snow" 14.911.86.72.10.00.00.00.00.00.32.510.4

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
3,920
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Germantown, WI?

Germantown has a cost index of 110 (100 = national average). It is 10% above the national average.

What is average rent in Germantown, WI?

The median gross rent in Germantown is $1,310 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Germantown?

The median home value in Germantown is $356,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Germantown?

The median household income in Germantown is $104,337 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Germantown, WI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Germantown is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.

Is Germantown, WI affordable?

Germantown is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 110 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Germantown?

Germantown has average high temperatures of 57.4°F and average lows of 41.3°F. Annual precipitation is 34.6". Average annual snowfall is 48.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Germantown at a Glance

Population
20,940
Median Income
$104,337
Home Value
$356,700
Median Rent
$1,310/mo
Unemployment
2.0%
Avg High Temp
57.4°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
View all cities in Wisconsin →
🗺️ County data for Wisconsin

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs